How to beat 7-star Empoleon Tera Raid: Best counters in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

The powerful penguin Pokemon is about to be a problem in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, so learn how to beat 7-Star Empoleon in Tera Raid battles with our full guide.

Penguins might not look tough, but this one has fins of steel and is more than ready to fight. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players get ready for a feathery fight, as Empoleon is the latest Pokemon appearing in 7-Star Tera Raid battles.

A Water and Steel-type Pokemon first introduced in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, the Sinnoh-based Empoleon is the evolved version of Piplup and Prinplup, and is based on (if you didn’t know already) an Emporer penguin and Napoleon Bonaparte.

So, get ready for your very own Waterloo but with more Water-type moves, with our guide covering how to beat 7-Star Tera Raid Empoleon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Contents

• When will Empoleon appear in Tera Raids?
• Empoleon Moveset and type
• Best Empoleon counters
• Can Empoleon be Shiny?

When will Empoleon appear in Tera Raids?

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will host 7-Star Tera Raid battles featuring Empoleon with the Mightiest Mark from Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 4:00 PM PST, until Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 3:59 PM PST.

Then, it will return the following weekend, with Empoleon Tera Raid battles live from Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 4:00 PST, until Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 3:59 PST.

While players can battle Empoleon as many times as they like, only one Empoleon can be caught for each Pokemon Scarlet & Violet account. Meaning if players catch it the first weekend, and battle it again the next weekend, they will only earn the Tera Raid rewards and cannot catch Empoleon again.

Empoleon Moveset and type

The Pokemon Company

The powerful Pokemon Empoleon has the dual Water And Steel-type combination, meanwhile, the Empoleon with the Mightiest Mark featured in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raid battles features the Ice Tera-type.

To take advantage of the Ice Tera-type, and be sure to resist STAB Water and Steel-type moves, it’s best to head in with Fighting and Water-type Pokemon.

Meanwhile, Empoleon with the Mightiest Mark featured in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raid battles has the Hidden Ability known as Competitive, which is described as “Boosts the Pokemon’s Sp. Atk stat sharply when its stats are lowered by an opposing Pokemon”.

While Empoleon’s move set is not confirmed yet, and won’t be until the Raid goes live, we expect Empoleon’s build to be as follows:

POKEMON	MOVES	ABILITY	NATURE	TERA TYPE
	Moves may include: Surf, Hydro Pump, Blizzard, Flash Cannon, Metal Sound, Snowscape	Competitive	TBC	Ice

Best Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Empoleon counters

The key to taking down Empoleon with the Mightiest Mark in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is not activating its ability, so don’t bring in any Pokemon with a nature like Intimidate and don’t use moves that lower stats – like Screech – unless Empoleon’s ability has been removed or disabled.

Next, Empoleon has a higher Special Defense stat than its Physical Defense stat, but the difference isn’t huge. A Physical Attacker will help, but using a Special Attack-focused Pokemon is still very viable.

Pokemon with moves like Skill Swap can be used to negate Empoleon’s ability, and then players can use the right type advantage, while resistances to Water and Steel will also be a huge help.

Some of the best counters for 7-Star Tera Raid Empoleon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are as follows:

POKEMON		MOVES	NATURE	ABILITY	ITEM	TERA
Iron Hands		Belly Drum, Swords Dance, Drain Punch, Electric Terrain	Adamant	Quark Drive	Black Belt	Fighting
Clawitzer		Chilling Water, Heal Pulse, Aura Sphere, Entrainment	Modest	Mega Launcher	Shell Bell	Water
Bronzong		Skill Swap, Calm Mind, Metal Sound, Flash Cannon	Modest	Levitate	Shell Bell	Steel
Slowking		Skill Swap, Light Screen, Calm Mind, Tera Blast	Modest	Regenerator	Shell Bell	Fighting
Gallade		Sacred Sword, Swords Dance, Skill Swap, Sunny Day	Adamant	Steadfast	Shell Bell	Fighting

Can Empoleon be Shiny?

Game Freak/The Pokemon Company

No, the Empoleon featured in 7-Star Tera Raid battles from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet cannot be encountered in its Shiny form.

However, players that catch Empoleon can breed it for the chance to encounter a Shiny Piplup in Eggs.

That’s all for our Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Empoleon Tera Raid battle guide, and if you’re heading back into Paldea to prepare for the fight, then be sure to check out more of our guides next:

Paldea Pokedex | Best starter Pokemon | How to get Marks in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Are Pokemon Scarlet & Violet compatible with Pokemon Home? | Unlocking 5 & 6-star Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to unlock Rotom Phone cases in Scarlet & Violet | How to change clothes in Scarlet & Violet | How to co-op with friends in Scarlet & Violet | All Shiny forms in Scarlet & Violet | Sandwich recipes in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet egg breeding guide | How to get Rare Candy in Scarlet & Violet